Pakistan is the most affected by Climate Change as it falls in the top 10 countries according to the Global Climate Risk Index 2017. Thus, Environmental degradation in urban areas is due to unrestrained and unregulated land use forms. Mainly which is the cause of planning issues and traffic regulations. This led to the haphazard growth of roads, houses, commercial areas, parking areas, associated facilities, and industries.
Moreover, Climate change has an unalterable effect on the environment which has caused air pollution, traffic jams, overcrowding, and struggles in cities. Yet, Air pollution in Pakistan is among the highest which has caused damage to humankind in many cities.
What Issues Are Occurring Due To Climate Change In Cities?
These issues are majorly seen in the cities of Punjab such as Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Multan, and Rawalpindi. Where industrial discharges and traffic problems have crossed the limits.
Further, these are due to the placement of industries near urban centers. Air pollution caused by traffic and industrial discharge is the reason for many respiratory viruses and heart problems in humans. In Pakistan, 22000 early deaths and 700 young deaths occurred due to air pollution (according to a World Bank study in 2006).
Whereas, the rate of degradation in forests is the highest in Pakistan according to the agriculture department. Because authorities are unable to perform their duties efficiently for the protection and conservation of the environment and sustainable development.
In Punjab, environmental quality has deteriorated due to;
- Uncountable urbanization
- Haphazard growth of industries
- Lack of management of water
- Old technologies
- A rapid increase in transportation
It has caused extreme changes in weather like unpredictable rain and floods which became a threat to food, water, security, and energy.
A Case Study Of Faisalabad City In Pakistan.
Besides, Climate changes are very evident as there has been a huge rise in temperature for the past decades. And the worst is seen in cities in the form of smog, heat waves, and less rainfall which has even adverse effects on crops, forests, plants, and animals.
In my observation, the city that is most affected by climate change is Faisalabad, Punjab. The reason for choosing this city is it had the most agricultural land in Pakistan. However, with passing decades they are being used for urbanization.
A study has shown the land use changes in Faisalabad through the change in temperature and rainfall trends. As agricultural lands transformed into urban land it triggered the humidity, rainfall, and temperature of the city.
One of the main reasons is that this city is known for its industrial estate. Yet, many industries were moved to the periphery of the city. But few of the mills are still inside the city. As discussed above those industries are near urban centers. Or near the housing societies which has contaminated the water around the areas and caused air pollution. To eliminate such pollution and elevate the environmental factors in the city there should be a policy of shifting all the industries to the peripheries of the city so that city centers are clean from the air pollution caused by them.
Conclusion & Recommendation
Living in the city of Faisalabad for years made me observe that there are acres of land under industries that are abandoned for economic reasons. Therefore, they should be utilized for regeneration purposes instead of consuming more agricultural land. Those industries could be converted into forests or green lands as the city has very few open spaces left. Climate Change has already caused damage to the city so this can be a way to reduce it.
Rather than establishing new housing schemes on agricultural lands these abandoned lands can be used for social housing for the poor communities. Moreover, they can generate an economy for themselves and can have a better living in that same space. Below map shows that the area marked in red is a barren industrial area. It can be utilized in future for the projects.
Another point is that there is a dire need to make the city pedestrian-friendly. However, it does seem impossible in metropolitan cities like Lahore or Karachi. Still, in Faisalabad, the distances are not much. So there is a possibility of generating pathways along with the plants and trees. It can work as a barrier to traffic for pedestrians.
Thus, not many people know that Faisalabad is a city that has now grown around the canal. It is running in between the city which can be utilized for water scarcity. Also, many parks and green areas are getting barren which can be saved by water from the canal. Hence, it will be one good way of saving water as Pakistan is going to be facing this problem in the coming years.